Canada strengthens international cooperation during Secretary of State Sarai’s participation at Doha Forum
News release
December 8, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), concluded a trip to Qatar where he represented Canada at the Doha Forum. This trip strengthened Canada’s deepening engagement with Qatar and reinforced partnerships across the Middle East. Building on Qatar’s role as a trusted partner and influential diplomatic actor, the trip also advanced efforts to enhance collaborative international cooperation efforts.
Secretary Sarai met with key Qatari counterparts, including Maryam Al Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Fahad Al Sulaiti, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development; and Mohammed Al Kubaisi, CEO of the Education Above All Foundation. These meetings focused on strengthening collaboration underway since the September 2024 visit to Canada by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and on developing new options to address global development and humanitarian priorities through joint initiatives.
At Doha’s Al Thumama complex, an emergency housing and medical rehabilitation centre hosting Palestinians evacuated from Gaza, Secretary Sarai met with Palestinians to hear their stories first-hand. Canada is funding a joint project with the Qatar Red Crescent and the Canadian Red Cross to provide psychosocial support for people at the complex, including therapy and resilience workshops.
With Pierre Krähenbühl, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Secretary Sarai addressed the growing complexity of humanitarian crises and explored opportunities to deepen cooperation on humanitarian responses around the world.
On the margins of the Doha Forum, Secretary Sarai met with his counterparts at the Qatar Fund for Development and Nutrition International to highlight the importance of child survival: ending preventable child deaths through coordinated investments in nutrition and health initiatives. They agreed to work together to strengthen advocacy for this mutual priority.
Quotes
“In an increasingly interconnected world, no single country can tackle global challenges alone: partnership is essential to creating lasting solutions. By joining forces, Canada and Qatar can empower communities, expand access to education and nutrition, address humanitarian crises and foster socio-economic growth worldwide.”
- Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development)
Quick facts
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Canada and Qatar have enjoyed uninterrupted diplomatic relations since 1974.
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In September 2024, during the visit to Canada by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on development cooperation. At the same time, Global Affairs Canada and Qatar’s Education Above All Foundation concluded a cooperation framework to guide joint work in the education sector.
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On November 25, 2025, Canada lifted the visa requirement for citizens of Qatar, allowing Qatari travellers to visit Canada without a visa for business or leisure. This change supports increased tourism, commercial activity and investment and reflects strengthening bilateral ties and ongoing cooperation between Canada and Qatar.
Associated links
Contacts
Shanti Cosentino
Director of Communications
Office of the Secretary of State (International Development)
Shanti.Cosentino@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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